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Introduction - struggle with medication side effects
Wed, 10/24/2018 - 09:45Topic: Share Your Story
Hi! This is my first time using this chat. I'm 21 with focal epilepsy for 10 years. There are only 2 neurologists in my province (NL, CA) and mine put me on 3000 mg of Keppra, 200mg Vimpat and 300 mg of Clobozam. When she went on maternity leave the other doctor informed me that this is WAY too much and he doesn't understand how I'm functioning day to day with the side-effects of these pills. It kind of made me lose trust in doctors. I've been to 4 psychologists but they havent been working and I'm slowly learning to live with the daily struggles I'm encountering. My main side effects are irritability and impulsiveness. This is seeming to break a lot of important relationships in my life, luckily my family and close friends are always there for me. I experience anxiety and depression from this, I'm struggling with keeping a relationship, luckily my boyfriend understands, but I'm the one always telling him that he can do better than someone who is always tired, moody, and unable to fix it. When I tell doctors about the side effects they just tell me to go up or down a half a pill until I feel like the side-effects go away.
Hi there! I'm also from nl
Submitted by tsw5 on Fri, 2018-12-07 - 23:15
Hi there! I'm also from nl and actually had my first grandmal seizure while home visiting earlier this year ( though I didn't get diagnosed with epilepsy until I came back to AB.) The healthcare system home is quite frustrating and it can be very difficult when you have limited resources- such as only 2 neurologist. Have you been on lamotrigine before? I'm finding it quite good for my focal seizure with minimal side effects. I'm not sure what they have in the way of support groups back home but it can be helpful to have someone to vent to that kinda knows what you're going through.